Film: The passion of the cruiser

Latter Days

By Mike Prevatt

Screenwriter C. Jay Cox could've followed his success with 2002's Reese Witherspoon vehicle Sweet Home Alabama by opting for additional big-studio efforts. But rather than sell out, he went indie and helmed one of the best gay flicks of the past five years--which is less of a backhanded compliment than it sounds.

You could argue that 2003's film-fest fave Latter Days, which Cox wrote and directed, had minor indie hit written all over it. Gay moviegoers were sure to be drawn to a protagonist who more or less defies the unabashedly anti-gay Mormon Church. But the deal was sealed when Cox cast hunky debuting actor Steve Sandvoss as Elder Aaron, the closeted Mo-mo who charms both the self-absorbed Christian (Wesley A. Ramsey) and the audience. His charisma is as effortlessly disarming as his looks, and his inner conflict goes beyond religion and sexuality.

Aaron's concealed struggle between piety and integrity is exacerbated by a move to West Hollywood, where he and three fellow Mormons work as the familiar tie-wearing bike missionaries. His similarly stereotypical neighbor, gym bunny Christian, bets his actor friends that he'll nail the cute Mormon. As the two connect over laundry, Christian figuratively loosens up Aaron, who in turn shows Christian how life can be rewarding beyond pilates class and tricking conquests. However, it's not long before Aaron's secret is revealed to his roommates and he's sent back to Utah, where his hardcore Mormon family is waiting for him. Christian follows with the hopes of winning back his man.

This is not a film of balance. Most of its comedy resides in the first half, while all the drama is reserved for the last half. The writing is uneven, and it's no surprise that the gay position is portrayed more favorably than the Mormon one. But there's no denying the film has heart, as redemption becomes its biggest theme. The result is a rewarding film, more about the complex people in it than the big ideas that threaten to overwhelm them.